49ers match franchise record with 6 Pro Bowl starters

CB Carlos Rogers (above), LT Joe Staley and S Dashon Goldson were named to their first Pro Bowls. -- AP

The 49ers received good news today when eight of their players were named to the NFC’s 43-man Pro Bowl roster.

Now, they’ll hope for better news next month: Those players will be busy preparing for another game when the Pro Bowl is played Jan. 29 in Honolulu.

“Hopefully, we won’t be there,” punter Andy Lee said. “Hopefully we’ll be at the Super Bowl.”

A trip to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Feb. 5, of course, is the Niners’ ultimate goal and the fact that they have eight Pro Bowlers this season is a reminder they have a realistic chance of reaching the NFL’s biggest game.

San Francisco (12-3) will be represented by six starters in Honolulu in Lee, placekicker David Akers, defensive tackle Justin Smith, linebacker Patrick Willis, cornerback Carlos Rogers, and left tackle Joe Staley. Running back Frank Gore and safety Dashon Goldson are reserves. Staley, Rogers and Goldson are first-time Pro Bowlers.

The six Pro Bowl starters matches the most the 49ers have had in franchise history. They also had six starters in 1971. San Francisco and New England, which also had eight players selected, have the most Pro Bowlers of any NFL team this season and the Niners’ eight Pro Bowlers are their most since they had 10 in 1995.

Willis, a five-year veteran who was named to his fifth Pro Bowl, is thrilled to have company this season. In 2008, Willis was San Francisco’s lone Pro Bowl representative.

“I remember when it was just me over there and now to have more of us be a part of it speaks a lot about our team,” Willis said.

Rogers, one of Willis’ defensive teammates, reiterated his desire to remain in San Francisco when he becomes a free agent after the season. And Rogers has likely earned a lucrative contract due to his suddenly reliable hands. Rogers’ career-high six interceptions are tied for the fourth-most in the NFL and are four more than he had in any of his first six seasons in Washington.

“That separates you from just an average corner, just a good cover guy,” Rogers said of his interceptions.

One notable omission was rookie linebacker Aldon Smith (14 sacks), who is one sack away from breaking the NFL’s record for sacks by a rookie and ranks fifth in the NFL in the category. Denver linebacker Von Miller (11.5 sacks) was named as a starter on the AFC roster. Miller and Smith are viewed as the NFL’s top defensive rookies.